What to Know About Your First Smartphone

Ready to make the leap from a basic phone to your first smartphone? You’re not alone. According to Nielsen, more than half of American mobile phone users now own smartphones. But the decision to upgrade to a smartphone can be a bit daunting for those unfamiliar with the technology.

Here are a few quick tips to keep in mind before you buy.

First, select a phone that fits your needs and matches your experience level. Smartphones like the Pantech Marauder offer a simplified mode to ease the transition for those new to smartphones. As you become more familiar and comfortable, you can change to a standard mode and customize the phone to optimize your experience.

Next, find a data plan that works for you. Data plans, which are generally required when purchasing a smartphone, cover sending emails, surfing the Web, downloading music, streaming video and playing games, among other activities. Use a Data Calculator to figure out how these tasks will impact your data usage each month, and then pick the best plan to meet your needs. With a Share Everything Plan, you get unlimited talk and text messaging with a variety of data options to be shared among multiple devices.

Consider the network the smartphone will run on. A large, super-fast, 4G LTE wireless network will ensure that you have a smooth experience watching videos or video chatting on your new smartphone.

Still have questions? There’s online and in-person help available through Wireless Workshops. During the workshops, experts will walk you through the features of specific devices. They’ll also share the latest tips and tricks to help you make the most of your wireless experience.

With these few steps, you’ll be ready to take your mobile experience to the next level.

Verizon Wireless today announced that its customers now have access to its 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network in more places, when the company expands its 4G LTE network today in 38 markets, including the Santa Barbara area, and launches coverage in 34 new markets.